Marlins hope to have found long-term answer at third

The Sports Xchange

The SportsXchangeJune 7, 2013

The Marlins haven't had a bona fide third baseman since they traded Miguel Cabrera to the Detroit Tigers more than five years ago. They hope their luck has changed with the University of North Carolina's Colin Moran, who is the nephew of former major leaguer B.J. Surhoff. "He really fits perfectly ... fitting a position we really need, so for us it was kind of the perfect storm,'' said Stan Meek, Miami's scouting director after taking Moran with the No. 6 pick in the draft Thursday. "For us, I think he's going to be really solid on both sides of the ball.'' Moran started 41 games at third base in 2012 and hit a team-best .365 with three homers, 30 runs scored and 35 RBI. Through his first 40 games this year, he was batting .381 with nine home runs and 62 RBI. The last third baseman the Marlins drafted with their first pick didn't work out. Matt Dominguez, the 12th overall pick in 2007, batted just .244 in 17 games in 2011 after struggling in the minor leagues. Dominguez was traded last July to the Houston Astros for Carlos Lee. The Marlins might fare better this time because Moran is a proven college hitter while Dominguez was drafted out of high school. "What I like about him, he is not concerned with the home run as much as he is driving the ball, and the ball comes off the bat well,'' Meek said. Moran, who is expected to play later this year for Class A Greensboro, said he is not worried about the generous dimensions at Marlins Park. "I'm really not too worried about home runs,'' Moran said. "I'm excited to be a Miami Marlin. I couldn't be more excited to be a part of that organization.''